For over a decade, Irish professionals, and their American allies, have watched and waited, hopeful that a dedicated U.S. work visa for Irish citizens might one day become a reality. In 2025, that hope may finally be within reach.
On February 13, 2025, Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) reintroduced H.R. 1337, a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding the E-3 visa program to include Irish nationals. The proposal would allow Ireland to access unused E-3 visas, which are currently reserved exclusively for Australians. If passed, this long-awaited legislation could create a new legal pathway for thousands of Irish professionals to live and work in the United States each year.
What Is the E-3 Visa?
The E-3 visa is a temporary work visa that, under current law, allows Australian citizens to work in specialty occupations in the United States. These roles typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. Unlike the more competitive H-1B visa, the E-3 is capped at 10,500 visas per year and is typically underutilized.
The proposed expansion would not reduce the number of E-3 visas available to Australians. Instead, it would allow Irish nationals to access unused E-3 visas from the previous year, a diplomatic solution that strengthens U.S.-Ireland relations without disrupting the existing system or disadvantaging Australian applicants.
If enacted, this bill would create a new employment-based visa for approximately 5,000 Irish citizens each year.
A Decade in the Making
The campaign for an Irish E-3 visa dates back over a decade and has seen multiple rounds of bipartisan support in Congress. In 2018, a similar version of the bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives but was blocked in the Senate by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). Our Founding Partner, Fiona McEntee, remembers this moment all too well. She was with the late, great Irish Senator Billy Lawless in the Irish Senate when news broke just before Christmas 2018 that the bill had failed. Despite the setback, we advocates have continued to push forward, driven by a shared commitment to creating a fair and accessible pathway for Irish professionals to contribute to the U.S. workforce.
More recent attempts at the Irish E-3 visa came in 2022, with bipartisan backing from Congressman Neal and also Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA), both of whom have Irish heritage and are vocal about supporting U.S.-Ireland relations.
The reintroduction of the E-3 bill in 2025 signals renewed momentum, particularly as immigration policy has dominated our news cycle.
“This bipartisan bill is about fairness and friendship,” Congressman Neal said in a recent statement. “It’s a reflection of the deep and historic ties between our countries.”
Who Would Qualify for the Irish E-3?
While the final wording of the law will determine exact eligibility, the proposed Irish E-3 visa would mirror the requirements of the current Australian E-3.
That means Irish citizens applying would need:
•Irish citizenship
•A job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation (typically requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field or equivalent experience)
•A bachelor’s degree in that specific field or equivalent work experience (usually 12+ years in the field if relying solely on work experience and not third level education)
•Proof that the employer will pay the prevailing wage or actual wage (whichever is higher), as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor
•The intent to return to Ireland after the visa expires (this is a temporary, non-immigrant visa)
Visa Duration: The visa would be valid for an initial 2-year period, with the ability to renew indefinitely in 2-year increments.
Spouses and Children: Dependents under 21 would be eligible for their own E-3 visas. Notably, spouses can work in the U.S. immediately upon arrival, without needing a separate work permit, which is one of the most attractive features of this visa category.
What Happens Next?
H.R. 1337 has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, where it will be reviewed and possibly amended. If it passes out of committee, it will move to a vote in the House, and then onto the Senate.
If passed by both chambers of Congress, it would go to President Trump’s desk for final approval. Although there’s no guarantee of passage, as always, advocates remain cautiously optimistic.
Irish E-3 Visa: A Decade - Long Dream is Now Back in Sight
